In this piece, Dr. Minunno explores the status of dogs in the Phoenician world, ranging from assumptions about their use as a substitute for a good meal to their revered reputation as faithful companions.
Dogs and Humans in the Phoenician World
Darius The Great and the Order of Governance
Out of chaos arose one of history’s most extraordinary rulers. Darius, a distant relative of Cyrus and once royal cup-bearer to Cambyses, toppled Gaumata and suppressed the revolts that plagued the Persian Empire, ascending as the new King of Kings. Yet it was not by military might alone that he maintained control over the vast empire. During his reign, Darius implemented a series of administrative, economic, and ideological reforms that not only stabilized Persia but also fostered its prosperity, setting a precedent for imperial governance that would endure for centuries.
The First Armenian Republic (1918-1920): Main Stages in the Formation and Development of Modern Armenian Statehood
"Despite military threats and external aggression, the ultimate downfall came from within." In this article, Professor Ashot Nersisyan chronicles the history of the First Armenian Republic, from its inception in 1918 to its downfall in 1920.
Galatian: The Forgotten Language of Anatolia
Anatolia is home to multiple obscure and lesser known languages. One of them is Galatian: a language spoken in central Anatolia between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE by the Celts who migrated from Europe. This article will focus mainly on the linguistic aspects of Galatian.
The Persians in Herodotos’ Eyes
Herodotos' has been regarded by some as the source of Western Orientalism, a set of views which regards the "Oriental", and in particular the Persian, as inferior. This article wishes to set the record straight and find out Herodotos' actual views about the Persians
The History of the Hammām
In this article, Professor Idriz introduces us to the intriguing history and functioning of the hammām in Muslim society, whose use dates all the way back to Umayyad times.
Traversing the Silk Road: From the Taklamakan Desert to Chang’an
One of the most vital and treacherous segments of the Silk Road extended from the western rim of the Taklamakan Desert to the eastern capital of Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an). Crossing harsh deserts, fertile oases, and military outposts, this route encapsulated the complexity and endurance of Silk Road exchanges. The movement of goods such as silk, wool, indigo, paper, and porcelain between empires was accompanied by the transmission of religious philosophies, artistic motifs, and technical know-how—much of which survives today in the archaeological record.
The Tablet-House: Learning Cuneiform in Ancient Mesopotamia
The complexity of the scribal art in Ancient Mesopotamia necessitated the emergence of specialised institutions devoted entirely to the teaching of cuneiform to the next generation. This article aims to shed light on these schools, focusing on the Old Babylonian period (2000–1600 BCE), which is best represented in our archaeological and written source material. How did they function? What were they like?
Maria Komnena Palaiologina: A Diplomat, Missionary, and Patron of the Late Byzantine Era
In her first contribution to Along the Silk Road, Cemre Melis Yordamlı explores, through the example of Princess Maria Komnena Palaiologina, how the Late Byzantine court used political marriages to secure favorable alliances and promote Orthodox Christianity.
Necessity for the Establishment of the Global Silk Road University and the Global Silk Road Library
In this essay, Prof. Dr. Mesut Idriz outlines the necessity of, and practical steps toward, establishing a Global Silk Road University and a Global Silk Road Library.
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